I cook poorly, I craft obsessively and I love the look of a retro cocktail. When I am feeling guilty about taking time away from my family with my obsessions, I make videos about my guilt as "The Guilty Crafter" or I blog here. Thanks for stopping by!

Entries in jewelry making
(2)

I've been loving 3D printed jewelry for quite awhile now. The possibilities are endless and gorgeous. I know, I know. You think you can't afford a 3D printer so you're ignoring all the cool things about this new technology. Not true. You can print things so easily from Shapeways.com, for example. Or check your local library- mine prints up to 4 items a month for the cost of thttp://gawker.com/why-worry-about-land-sharks-when-now-there-are-land-oct-1687359330he materials (averaging about 80 cents for, say, an iphone cover).

Now that PSA is over, let's get to my bracelet. I was given the an bracelet as a gift recently at the Craft and Hobby show. Someone was there doing 3D printer demos and the bracelet was a sample. But what a sample! It has a beautiful, shimmery sheen to it. Later, I was gifted a box of (sponsored product alert!) PrimaBead.com Swarovski crystals and I immediately knew the bracelet and the beads were a match made in crafty heaven. I love the idea of taking something so high tech and making it look rich and elegant.

I could bore you with the directions (because they're so incredibly simple) but really, get your hands on a pretty but plain little bracelet. It doesn't have to be 3D printed (but come ON- get on that tech bandwagon already!). And now grab your iLovetoCreate Liquid Fusion Clear Urethane Adhesive (I got a sample of this at the show) and glue some pretty crystals on. Let it dry and wear it to your next outing. When the sparkle catches someone's eye and they ask about it, you'll be able to say? "Oh this? It was made on a 3D printer and I embellished it myself). You get to teach someone something AND show off your creative side!

Is there really such a thing as a "professional crafter?" I'm not too convinced but I'm kinda/sort close to being one, I suppose. When I'm interested in getting something published in a magazine, I will answer their publication calls which usually means working on a winter holiday item in summer and vice-versa. In my personal crafting life, I'm not really good at that. Usually, holiday crafting takes place ON that holiday in a frantic, mess-causing mania. Like today.

Now I'm thinking I can just dig these tutorials out next year BEFORE St. Patrick's Day and look like I was super prepared. Ha! And the St. Patrick's Day cooking question- does anyone REALLY like corned beef. And why is it CALLED that anyway. On second thought, please don't tell me.